Dota 2 Officially Leaving Beta

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The popular MOBA game from Valve will soon be available to all as it crosses from beta testing into full release.

After a two-year long beta period, Valve’s insanely popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game Dota 2 is officially shedding its beta cloak and heading into full release.

Valve had been using a beta key system in the past by which those who managed to get into the beta could also grant access to a limited number of other interested players and they’re using a similar system for the game’s launch. Interested players who want in on the game’s full release can opt in on the launch queue through which the developer is inviting new players in waves according to Valve's Erik Johnson:

"Our goal over the next few weeks is continue to make the game more enjoyable as more players are brought in. We hope to make it as smooth as possible for existing players and new players alike.

If you want to give Dota a try, or you have a friend you want to bring into the community, click the button above and you can get in the launch queue. You'll see your place in line, and when it is your turn we'll send you an email letting you know you're in. We'll begin sending those emails this week.”

This somewhat unorthodox launch method is being utilized to help avoid many of the issues that plagued games like Diablo III and Sim City on their launch days due to a massive influx of new players. Valve has stated that, during its beta period, Dota 2 has had the largest active community in Steam history; clocking in a total user base of roughly 3 million players with peaks of up to 300,000 concurrent users online at once. As excited as Valve is to open Dota 2’s doors to everyone, they want to do so while also maintaining the game’s server stability.

More info on the game and how to sign up for access can be found at the link below.